by Vinny Knowles

Created on: December 18, 2008

Scene 1: A small one room prairie house. A Father is talking to his 19 year old daughter (Sarah). The wife is preparing to leave for town with the Father. The older daughter is to stay behind with the young ones, a ten year old boy (James) and a two year old girl (Elizabeth, nick named Lizzy).

Papa: "Mama, Will you gather the young ones and go out and get the wagon ready. I need to talk to Sarah a few minutes."

Mama: "Sure. Come on and help Mama, children."

Lizzy: "Mama will you bring me a stick of peppermint from town?"

James: "I want licorice."

Lizzy: "I don't like licorice Mama. It's an ugly color, black!"

Mama: "Where did you learn that word. I do not like it. Little ladies do not talk like that."

Lizzy: "I heard Papa say it. He said, that sow is ugly as sin.' I asked him what ugly' meant and he said it meant that you didn't like to look at it. That is how I feel about licorice. And Mama, since I am not a lady yet, can I say ugly'?"

Mama cut her eyes at Papa who looked away and smiled. Then she answered Lizzy.

Mama: "No, you may not. You will never be a big lady if you do not practice while you are a small lady."

Lizzy: "Oh shucks!"

Mama: "Elizabeth!"

Lizzy: "Sorry, Mama."

The children exit. Papa turns to Sarah.

Papa: "Sarah, Tom McClary came by today. He expressed some interest in courting you."

Sarah's face became rosy instantly.

Sarah: "Yes, Papa. I am quite fond of Tom. He helped me a lot when I was teaching last year at the school. He would stock the wood box, and sweep the school yard each morning. You know he even drove me home a couple of times during the year."

Papa: "Yes, I know all that." He fiddles with his hat uncomfortably. "You know his father is a drunkard. He doesn't care for his family."

Sarah: "I know Papa. But Tom is not like that. He has cared for his family when his father didn't. And he has never touched a drink. He says he is taking no chances with the stuff. You know that Pastor thinks the world of Tom."

Papa: "I know that too, but still, I cannot approve of you courting him. You must understand dear. I am looking out for your interest."

Sarah: "I'm not interested in courting Tom's Papa, I want to court Tom. He is nothing like his Papa. It's not fair that you should judge him like this."

Papa: "Sarah, you are speaking inappropriately to me."

Sarah: "Forgive me, Papa. But I care for Tom."

Papa: "You should have reserved those feelings until I knew something of this. I have made my decision. I do not want you courting him."

Sarah turns away. The father hugs

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